Systems and methods for generating reproducible illumination

Abstract

A plurality of systems and methods for generating reproducible illumination by adjusting solid-state devices regulated by a control system that illuminate sample parts in a compensated, standardized manner. An illumination system includes an illumination source directed onto the optical axis of a light collection system. The light collection system includes a collection lens assembly and at least one CCD detector. The lens assembly and CCD detector perform the spatial imaging of the sample part. An optical element positioned between the illumination source and the sample part redirects a portion of the entire energy emitted from the illumination source to a monitoring detector. The monitoring detector measures the optical power illuminating the sample part and compares it to a previously measured reference illumination source level. Based on the results of the comparison and additional input from temperature, color and other sensor, the drive current to the illuminating source is adjusted to consistently illuminate the sample part within an instrument model line and over an extended time period.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system that generates reproducible illumination of a sample, the system comprising: 
       an illumination source that emits light onto the sample;  
       a monitoring detector that measures at least one characteristic of the emitted light independent of image capture apparatus; and  
       a current controller that modifies a drive current supplied to the illumination source based on the measured characteristics and a plurality of predetermined reference values corresponding to a reference illumination source illuminating the monitoring detector, the current controller correlating the measured characteristics to the predetermined reference values.  
     
     
       2. The system according to claim  1 , wherein the illumination source has at least one solid state device. 
     
     
       3. The system according to claim  2 , wherein at least one solid state device of the illumination source is at least one LED. 
     
     
       4. The system according to claim  3 , wherein the illumination source includes at least one LED and a collection lens. 
     
     
       5. The system according to claim  1 , wherein the illumination source is near the sample. 
     
     
       6. The system according to claim  1 , further comprising a temperature probe positioned near the illumination source, the temperature probe measuring an ambient temperature around the illumination source, the current controller further modifying the drive current supplied to the illumination source based on the measured ambient temperature. 
     
     
       7. The system according to claim  6 , wherein the measured ambient temperature is acquired in real-time and coincident with the measurement from the monitoring detector. 
     
     
       8. The system according to claim  1 , further comprising a temperature probe positioned near the motoring detector, the temperature probe measuring an ambient temperature around the monitoring detector, the current controller further modifying the drive current supplied to the illumination source based on the measured ambient temperature. 
     
     
       9. The system according to claim  8 , wherein the measured ambient temperature is acquired in real-time and coincident with the measurement from the monitoring detector. 
     
     
       10. The system according to claim  1 , further comprising at least one spatially-indiscriminate, wavelength-rationing detector positioned near the sample, each spatially-indiscriminate, wavelength-rationing detector measuring scattered and/or reflected light from the sample, the current controller further modifying the drive current supplied to the illumination source based on the measured scattered and/or reflected light. 
     
     
       11. The system according to claim  1 , wherein the measured characteristic of the emitted light measured is at least one of a color-combined light intensity output and a light intensity output of at least one of a discrete color and a wavelength region of the emitted light. 
     
     
       12. The system according to claim  1 , wherein the current controller is provided a target point and the current controller further modifies the drive current based on the target point. 
     
     
       13. A method for generating reproducible illumination from an illumination source to illuminate a sample, comprising: 
       providing a drive current to the illumination source;  
       emitting light from the illumination source towards a sample based on the drive current to illuminate the sample;  
       measuring at least one characteristic of the emitted light using a monitoring detector; and  
       modifying the drive current based on the measured characteristics and a plurality of predetermined reference values that correlate measured characteristics determined by the monitoring detector to optical output energy emitted from a reference illumination source.  
     
     
       14. The method according to claim  13 , further comprising positioning the illumination source near the sample, wherein the illumination source has at least one solid state device. 
     
     
       15. The method according to claim  13 , further comprising: 
       measuring an ambient temperature of the illumination source; and  
       further modifying the drive current based on the measured ambient temperature.  
     
     
       16. The method according to claim  13 , further comprising: 
       measuring an ambient temperature of the monitoring detector; and  
       further modifying the drive current based on the measured temperature.  
     
     
       17. The method according to claim  13 , further comprising: 
       measuring scattered and/or reflected light from the sample; and  
       further modifying the drive current based on the measured scattered and/or reflected light.  
     
     
       18. The method according to claim  13 , further comprising: 
       inputting a target point; and  
       further modifying the drive current based on the target point.  
     
     
       19. The method according to claim  13 , wherein at least one solid state device of the illumination source is at least one LED. 
     
     
       20. The method according to claim  13 , wherein the illumination source includes a collection lens.